Two Different Journeys
Meet Bruno and Hila, two first-year university students navigating the challenges of college life. Both are bright, motivated, and determined to succeed, but they approach their academic journey in very different ways. Their differences reflect how gender, as a social construction, can shape behavior, self-expression, and academic strategies.
Hila, a health sciences major, keeps a detailed planner, attends study groups, and often leans on her family and friends for emotional support. She believes that hard work and planning are key to success. Her grades reflect her effort; she’s consistently among the top of her class.
Bruno, an engineering student, prefers to work alone. He is confident in his abilities and rarely asks for help. He believes that intelligence should be enough to succeed and worries that seeking support might make him appear weak. His grades are average, and he often feels disconnected from the academic environment.
One afternoon, after a particularly tough exam, Hila and Bruno sat together in the campus café. Hila vented about how overwhelmed she felt but also how her study group had helped her prepare. Bruno shrugged. “I just winged it,” he said. “If I try too hard, it feels like I’m not smart enough.”
Hila paused. “But isn’t trying the point?”
Bruno did not answer.
